How to grow hydroponic flowers at home? Read this technical summary

I. Where are the difficulties in getting hydroponic flowers through the summer?

Hydroponic flowers are ornamental plants grown in a non-solid medium (water or water with an appropriate amount of plant nutrient solution added). At present, most home hydroponic flowers are grown in still water, with dissolved oxygen below 1 mg/l, and the flowers barely sustain life in an oxygen-deficient container. As summer temperatures rise, plant physiological metabolism becomes vigorous, microorganisms multiply in large numbers, oxygen consumption surges, dissolved oxygen continuously decreases, and water quality deteriorates, creating many unfavorable factors for the growth of hydroponic flowers, which may cause root rot, withered branches and leaves, and even the death of the plant. Therefore, in summer, in addition to preventing extreme heat and high temperatures, increasing the oxygen content of the nutrient solution is the key to ensuring that hydroponic flowers safely pass the summer.

II. How can the dissolved oxygen content of the nutrient solution be increased?

There are many ways to increase dissolved oxygen, summarized as chemical methods and physical methods. The following are several methods that are easy to carry out and effective.

1. Increase the frequency of replacing the nutrient solution. Replacing the nutrient solution is the simplest way to increase dissolved oxygen. Measurements show that the dissolved oxygen content of fresh nutrient solution increases by 70%-90% compared with the original solution, which can promptly improve the physiological oxygen deficiency of the flowers. For flowers that have already grown water roots, it is advisable to replace the nutrient solution once every 3-5 days, and no more than 7 days at most. When replacing the nutrient solution, note that the temperature difference between the new solution and the original solution should not be too large; too large a temperature difference may cause physiological disorder in the flower roots. When changing the solution, patiently rinse the roots with clean water, remove withered roots and rotten roots, and cut the aged roots shorter to promote new roots. If the nutrient solution suddenly becomes turbid, or there are mosquito egg masses, the nutrient solution should be replaced with new one immediately.

2. Vibration for oxygen enrichment. For smaller hydroponic flowers, as long as the roots are clear and undamaged and the nutrient solution is transparent, vibration can be used to increase oxygen. The method is to hold the flower with one hand and grasp the container with the other hand, and gently shake it more than 10 times. After shaking, the dissolved oxygen content of the nutrient solution can increase by more than 30%. For hydroponic flowers with turbid nutrient solution or poorly developed roots, the vibration oxygen enrichment method is not suitable, and the nutrient solution must be completely replaced.

3. Aerate the container. If, while caring for hydroponic flowers, there is also a tank of ornamental fish nearby, the oxygen rod of the fish tank can be put into the container to aerate it.

III. Where is it suitable to place hydroponic flowers in summer?

Most of the flower materials selected for hydroponic flowers are shade-tolerant foliage flowers and flowers grown for both flowers and leaves, such as Syngonium podophyllum, Rohdea japonica 'Baiyu', Spathiphyllum, Anthurium andraeanum, and bromeliads. These flowers prefer warmth and humidity, are somewhat tolerant of shade, and avoid high temperature and dry heat. "Hydroponics" only changes the cultivation form and cannot change their growth habits and required environmental factors. In summer, it is best to place hydroponic flowers in an environment with bright light, slightly higher humidity, cooler conditions, and good ventilation. Avoid direct sunlight, but do not place them in too much shade, so as to avoid hindering photosynthesis, weakening growth, elongating stem nodes, and thinning leaves. This causes the leaves of flowers with colored patches and variegated patterns to lose their luster.

IV. Can hydroponic flowers be placed in an air-conditioned room?

Yes. However, hydroponic flowers should not be placed directly facing the air outlet of the air conditioner; too fast an air speed will damage the branches and leaves, causing curled leaves in mild cases and scorched edges and withering in severe cases. It is also necessary to consider that the temperature requirements of flowers are higher during the day than at night. If the air conditioner is turned off at night and the ambient temperature is higher than the daytime temperature when the air conditioner is on, it is unfavorable to the growth of hydroponic flowers. When the air conditioner is on, place a basin of clean water beside the flowers or spray the leaf surfaces to increase ambient humidity, and place the flowers farther away from the air outlet of the air conditioner. If the temperature difference between day and night is not large, there is no problem.